Journalist

A review of the structure of the Church in Wales dominated a meeting of its Governing Body in Lampeter last week. It began with a presentation from the independent review panel that was helping the Church look to the future. It consisted of the former Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Lord Harries of Pentregarth; Professor Charles Handy, formerly of the London Business School; and Professor Patricia Peattie, who once chaired the standing committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Lord Harries thanked those who had taken part in the consultation process for “a real willingness to face up to the situation”. The panel’s “radical suggestions”, he said, included replacing parishes with larger ministry areas, and training lay people to take on more leadership.